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OperaNotes Review
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington D.C.
February 22, 2004
By Charlene Frank
Cecilia Bartoli
Recital
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Placido Domingo on Wednesday, one week later Juan Diego Flórez on Friday, Cecilia Bartoli and Sunday, and again on Tuesday, one week later Juan Diego Flórez on Thursday and Pavarotti on Saturday and the Grazie Luciano luncheon on Monday. It's an operatic candy store and I'm the kid. Yum!
When Cecilia Bartoli sings, it doesn't matter if you are fluent in the language in which she is singing, or if you don't understand a word. You understand the song, it's entire story. She gives us everything, and it is perfect. Watching her sing is almost as wonderful as hearing her sing. As she works the muscles in her neck and makes that incredible sound come out you can't believe what you are hearing. How can this be? And then she smiles and brings the audience in even closer.
We've been hearing the Salieri story since the CD came out. The much maligned master losing his place in history due to fictional accounts of his jealousy and perhaps even the murder of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Recently we only know his name thanks to the movie "Amadeus " which pushed these fictions up to a whole new height. Cecilia hunted for his ignored masterpieces, recorded them and here were are, in John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. listening to baroque magic.
The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment was a delight, and each member of this lovely orchestra looked like they were having a great time accompanying Ms. Bartoli through the Vivaldi, Gluck, Salieri and even the Hayden gems that she gave us. Her playful interactions between the orchestra and the audience during "E vo da buon marito...Non vo gia vi suonino" from La Cifra, brought every person in every part of the Hall to their feet yelling "Brava" (through giant smiles).
It's hard to believe that she could be better, but that seems to happen each time I am fortunate enough to see her. Or maybe she is just so good that I am so amazed each time I see her and I can't imagine she could have possibly been this good before. No matter which it is, she is that good.